Dr James Cockayne discusses his research on the strategic logic of organised crime and its role in the age of globalisation. Dr Cockayne shares his insights on where politics stops and where organized crime starts, forcing a rethink of distinctions between politics, conflict and crime.

Dr James Cockayne is an Australian strategist, writer and international lawyer, who currently serves as Head of Office in New York for the United Nations University. Previously Principal Legal Officer in the Transnational Crime Unit of the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, his research and practice focuses on armed groups, organised crime, counter-terrorism and the protection of human rights. He is a visiting lecturer at Columbia University, a Hauser Scholar at New York University School of Law, and a university medallist in government and public administration at the University of Sydney. Dr Cockayne has worked in public service, academia and the advocacy arena. He was co-director of the Center on Global Counterterrorism Co-operation, leading their work in New York and Africa. His new book “Hidden Power: The Strategic Logic of Organised Crime” was published by Hurst in August 2016.